Hi guys,

I have a 2001 octavia vrs, and am looking at improving the handling over the standard setup.

I have been looking through the forum and the general internet, and being vag, everything seems compatible with everything else, leaving me very confused. So am looking for some guideance.

It would appear the S3 lower strut brace would be a good place to start, but then there seems to be alot on anti roll bars, r32, r32 upgrade, audi TT, and then the solid or poly bushes.

Currently on standard shocks aswel, which could be worth changing? The tyres I am planning on leaving as they are until they are worn before upgrading.

What do you recommend, to give the greatest improvements to the suspension, therefore handling, without totally destroying the comfort on longer journeys?

Cheers

Mark

Best improvement has to be the rear arb - I am please with mine.

Front only after rear as it will enduce understeer, additionally most will say don't bother esp on standard suspension.

KW series coilovers for suspension - ride will be harder tho.

Changing the shocks to Koni FSDs will control body roll more than the standard items, and will keep the comfort level really quite good. I have these on, with standard springs, and superpro wishbone bushes. The bushes really help with road feel IMO, steering is more direct.

As for the FSDs, they tighten up when pushing the car - around town, they cushion things quite nicely (as much as any shock can do on a heavy car with 17" wheels and lowish suspension) and on the motorway, better than standard shocks - no bouncing around, though as has been noted elsewhere on here, if you reach a crest/dip on a smooth, high speed road, you will notice it as they tighten up when offered no resistance (if that makes sense? still miles better than the originals anyway).

When pressing on through corners, you really feel the benefit of these shocks over standard - the car feels much more capable, though I'm saving for a rear ARB as I can still feel the back end rolling around too much to really chuck it about. Ideally I'd have had this done first, but first my wishbone bushes and then my shocks cr*pped out on me - didn't mind too much to be honest, perfect excuse for upgrading! Definitely needs the RARB though I think, I'm expecting it to feel more balanced once I'm in a position to fit one.

HTH

Sam

After looking up the costs etc. I think will have to make do with the rear arb for the time being. Also some uprated bushes while I'm at it.

Is this worthwhile on its own? and which one is best? the Golf R32 one? or another brand?

The super pro bushes, are these poly bushes or solid bushes, and do you know the supplier, part number?

I assume then that the FSD's are much more progressive dampers? As in the harder the impact the greater the resistance to compression they give?

Cheers for the help

After looking up the costs etc. I think will have to make do with the rear arb for the time being. Also some uprated bushes while I'm at it.

Is this worthwhile on its own? and which one is best? the Golf R32 one? or another brand?

If you are talking about the RARB then the Golf R32 one will not fit. The R32, Audi TT Quattro share the same set up as the Octy 4x4 which are different to the 2 wheeled Drive octys.

You will need something like Neuspeed,Whiteline RARB(same as Golf MK4 1.8 turbo)

Balance motorsport do these.

Whiteline Anti-roll bars ARB ARBs, Whiteline Suspension for Audi, Ford Vauxhall Subaru Honda Nissan and many more

It is a very good mod on it's own. Better than a suspension change actually in terms of keeping the rear end more straight and stable.

The super pro bushes, are these poly bushes or solid bushes, and do you know the supplier, part number?

Super Pro is the make of bush. It is a poly bush, these can be purchased by any number of retailers,

This is a good one.

Suspension Bushes Super Pro Poly by PRI Racing authorised distributor

I assume then that the FSD's are much more progressive dampers? As in the harder the impact the greater the resistance to compression they give?

Cheers for the help

Yes FSD's are progressive and react to the the road surface and car speed and cornering very well.